Kicks Through the Lens (Week 4 of Playoffs)

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by Brendon Schunck | Sep 15, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

The 2019 NBA Champions have officially been eliminated from the playoffs. The Boston Celtics escaped in Game 7 to march their way right into the Eastern Conference Finals. The Houston Rockets “small ball” strategy failed them miserably as Lebron, A.D., and the Lakers cruised into the Western Conference Finals, winning the series 4-1. Lebron once again eliminated both James Harden and Russell Westbrook from the playoffs, just as he did eight years ago in 2012. It appears as if the Los Angeles Clippers have taken the Denver Nuggets a little too lightly. The two franchises find themselves in a bout for a Game 7 that will send the victor to the Western Conference Finals.

LeBron James debuted another P.E. version of his 17th signature model, dressed up in Lakers purple and gold. James then eliminated the Rockets in a classic All-Star colorway of one of his best models in his line. The new Jordan XXXV’s made their first on-court appearance. Kawhi Leonard rocked his signature sneaker in the loudest color scheme seen yet. The Clippers star, and New Balance, have collaborated with Jolly Rancher to make a pack of their own. Unfortunately we have seen the last of P.J. Tucker for the 2019-20 NBA season, but he went out with a bang for his last week of kicks.

15. Adidas Harden Vol. 4 “Su Casa” – Kyle Lowry

14. Adidas D Rose 1 – Jamal Murray

13. Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 S.E. – Russell Westbrook

12. Adidas Harden Vol. 4 P.E. – James Harden

11. Jordan X “Steel” – P.J. Tucker

10. Jordan XXXIV “Taco Jay” P.E. – Jayson Tatum

9. Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 S.E. – Russell Westbrook

8. Nike Kobe 7 “Prelude” – Talen Horton-Tucker

7. Jordan XVI “Why Not?” P.E. – P.J. Tucker

6. Jordan XXXV – Jeff Green

5. New Balance THE KAWHI “Jolly Rancher” – Kawhi Leonard

4. Nike LeBron VII “All-Star” – LeBron James

3. Nike LeBron XVII “Uptempo” P.E. – LeBron James

2. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – P.J. Tucker

1. Nike LeBron XVII “Uptempo” P.E. – LeBron James

Sep 15, 2020 No Comments

Kicks Through the Lens (Week 3 of Playoffs)

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by Brendon Schunck | Sep 7, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

Week 3 of the NBA playoffs saw some great battles that came right down to the wire. The Oklahoma City Thunder gave it all they had but fell just one game short of defeating the Houston Rockets in their first round series. Unfortunately Chris Paul’s great run of HBCU CP3.XII customs have come to an end for the season. Will the Houston Rockets have what it takes to take down the Lakers along with LeBron and A.D.? The Toronto Raptors narrowly escaped being down 0-3 in their second round matchup against the Celtics, and have since tied that series at two games apiece. Khris Middleton played hero in carrying the Milwaukee Bucks in game 4 against the Heat, escaping what would have been a sweep by Miami.

P.J. Tucker is just not playing fair with his kick game, and he knows it. Tucker is sporting shoes on court in colorways that most people didn’t even know existed. Whether it’s P.E. Jordans, unreleased OG Kobe models, or sample Lebrons – P.J. just outshines the competition. Rajon Rondo has been seen wearing Lebron 17’s and Kobe 1’s in this series against the Houston Rockets. Apparently Rondo’s deal with Anta expired over the summer so he (currently) has free rein to rock any brand of sneakers he chooses. Paul George even broke out an old Pacers color scheme of his Nike PG 1’s. Is the PG 1 George’s best sneaker in his line?

15. Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 P.E. – Russell Westbrook

14. Adidas Harden Vol. 4 P.E. – Kyle Lowry

13. Nike KD 13 “Easy Money Sniper” – Pascal Siakam

12. New Balance THE KAWHI P.E. – Kawhi Leonard

11. Jordan CP3.XII “Clark Atlanta University” Custom – Chris Paul

10. Jordan VI “Motorsport” – P.J. Tucker

9. Nike Kobe 1 Protro “Black Maize” – Rajon Rondo

8. Nike PG 1 “Pacers” P.E. – Paul George

7. Nike LeBron XVII “Courage” – LeBron James

6. Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 P.E. – Russell Westbrook

5. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Khris Middleton

4. Nike LeBron VII P.E. – LeBron James

3. Jordan XXXIV “Taco Jay” P.E. – Jayson Tatum

2. Jordan XVI “Board of Governors” (Friends & Family) – P.J. Tucker

1. Nike Kobe 4 “Wedding” Sample – P.J. Tucker

Sep 7, 2020 No Comments

Kicks Through the Lens (Week 2 of Playoffs)

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by Brendon Schunck | Sep 1, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

It was moving week for a lot of teams in the NBA bubble. Some teams advanced to their respective conference semi-finals and some were sent home. The Trail Blazers put forth a valiant effort despite not having their star player, but the Lakers would easily win the series 4-1. Carmelo Anthony had a very impressive series, let alone an impressive comeback season altogether. One can only hope that we get to see more of his older Jordan Melo P.E.’s next season in 2020-21. The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets are headed towards a game 7 in their first round matchup. This Utah/Denver series has, in more ways than one, turned into the Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray show.

In terms of making a statement with their footwear, Jamal Murray’s Adidas shoes made quite an impact. The Nuggets star sported a pair of Pro Models honoring both George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. P.J. Tucker has stated that he might not be buying shoes for a while after the NBA fined him $25,000 for his altercation during the OKC series. It’s just hard to imagine what “a while” means for Tucker when it comes to buying shoes. The late Kobe Bryant was also honored early last week by players across all brands. Lastly, Paul George may have gotten his groove back, but why not in the PG 4’s?

15. Nike Air Go LWP “Orlando” – P.J. Tucker

14. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2 P.E. – Donovan Mitchell

13. Nike LeBron XVII “Air Command Force” (Alternate) P.E. – LeBron James

12. Jordan XXXIV “Guo Ailun Pop Art” – Carmelo Anthony

11. Nike LeBron VII “Fairfax P.E.” – LeBron James

10. Jordan CP3.XII (Lincoln University) Custom – Chris Paul

9. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Kyle Korver

8. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2 P.E. – Donovan Mitchell

7. Nike PG 2 “The Academy” – Paul George

6. Jordan Why Not Zer0.3 P.E. – Russell Westbrook

5. Adidas Pro Model 2G Custom – Jamal Murray

4. Nike LeBron VII P.E. – LeBron James

3. Adidas Harden Vol. 4 P.E. (Kobe Tribute) – James Harden

2. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – Anthony Davis

1. Nike Kobe 1 x Stash – P.J. Tucker

Sep 1, 2020 No Comments

Kicks Through the Lens (Week 1 of Playoffs)

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by Brendon Schunck | Aug 25, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

Week 1 of the playoffs is officially over and boy were we entertained. There were a couple usual sweeps that we saw coming but for the most part all of the series have been very competitive. Will there be an upset on the horizon if one of these higher seeded teams doesn’t get their act together? Is the East more of a race than people anticipated? Nothing like having playoff basketball in August and September to help answer all of these questions.

Kawhi Leonard’s new signature shoe with New Balance is displaying some very colorful iterations – ones that go against Leonard’s reserved personality. Kobe’s 42nd birthday would’ve been this past week and players all over the league were paying tribute and sporting old signature models of his. Budding young superstar, Luka Doncic, has put the league on notice that he not only has arrived, but he is here to stay and to take over. Jordan Brand is probably sitting back grinning ear to ear, happy that they were able to sign the now 21-year-old to their company. Paul George’s kicks have been on fire, unfortunately his game has yet to resemble his “Playoff P” mantra. P.J. Tucker wowed us the past week with yet another sneaker we have never seen on court. King James paid homage to Crenshaw’s very own, Nipsey Hussle. Will someone knock off Lebron for this past week’s #1 spot in our Kicks Through the Lens?

15. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #2 “Pick & Roll” – Donovan Mitchell

14. Jordan XXXIV P.E. – Kemba Walker

13. Nike PG 1 P.E. – Paul George

12. OVO x Jordan XVI – P.J. Tucker

11. New Balance The KAWHI – Kawhi Leonard

10. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – P.J. Tucker

9. Nike PG 1 P.E. – Paul George

8. Jordan CP3.XII (Southern University) Custom – Chris Paul

7. Nike Kobe 5 Protro P.E. – T.J. Warren

6. Jordan XXXIV “Welcome to the Zoo” – Jayson Tatum

5. Nike LeBron XVII “Air Command Force” (Alternate) P.E. – LeBron James

4. Undefeated x Nike Kobe 5 Protro “Dirty Dozen” – Joe Harris

3. Nike LeBron XVII “Crenshaw” P.E. – LeBron James

2. Jordan XXXIV “Taco Jay” P.E. – Jayson Tatum

1. OVO x Jordan VIII “Charles Oakley” P.E. – P.J. Tucker

Aug 25, 2020 No Comments

Kicks Through the Lens (Last Week Before Playoffs)

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by Brendon Schunck | Aug 18, 2020 | Featured, NBA, Sneakers

The NBA playoffs kicked off last night with a slew of games that garnered much attention. But before we even get to sneakers worn during the playoffs, there was one last week of the ‘regular season’ which we must highlight. Devin Booker did all he could do to will the Suns to an 8-0 record in the bubble, but fell just short in Phoenix’s bid for a playoff spot. Looks like this will be the last week we’ll see Booker’s sneakers on our countdown until the 2020-21 season. The ever-so-honest and non-apologetic, Jimmy Butler, dipped into his bag and brought out an old pair of Jordan XXX1’s. Luka Doncic debuted what appears to be his new logo drawn up by the team over at Jordan Brand.

Veteran PG, Chris Paul, also had a debut of his own. Paul donned his 13th signature sneaker with Jordan Brand, the CP3.XIII. Carmelo Anthony continues his run of nostalgia with his true fans, bringing out a P.E. colorway of his Melo 5.5’s wrapped in Blazers black and red. Paul George is rewinding the clock back 3-4 years, as we continue to see him break out his Nike PG 1’s in numerous color schemes. Will the NBA players’ feet heat up during the playoffs along with their games? What colorways and models do you want to see from your favorite superstars?